[tonyvdb]

For speakers that will stay within your budget look at Yambeka. I would not go with anything less than the Onkyo 707 as it has pre outs and gives you the ability to add an external amplifier down the road to power your speakers so in essence you then use the 707 as a processor only.
SVS makes some of the best subs around and are a real bargain. They also make really good speakers but that may blow your budget.

 

[tonyvdb]

do not concern yourself with the heat issues in the Onkyo receivers, Heat is normal with any receiver that offers as much as they do. Bang for buck Onkyo is the best out there. Its always good practice to place a receiver in a spot where it can breath freely nothing on top of it and nothing producing heat below it like a PVR or sat receiver.

 

[tonyvdb]

The PS12-NSD is a fairly big step up from the 10NSD if you can swing it you would not be disappointed but I know your budget is tight so the PB10 NSD is also a very capable sub.

 

[tonyvdb]

3.I can tell you speaker break in is a myth that goes on the list with fancy cables, amp audibility and other crazy things. Save yourself money and trouble. Get the best speakers/sub you can get and add a receiver that does the job.

This statement is not factual, most speaker manufacturers clearly state in there manuals that come with the speakers that break in is going to change the sound over the first few weeks of use.

 

[tonyvdb]

LOL, :rofl2: we keep doing this Jack. We think alike.

 

[tonyvdb]

You will be fine running the old speakers for now, just dont push the volume to hard through them.

 

[tonyvdb]

Hi tonyvdb,


You said not to push the volume too hard through them. To clarify, does this mean only turn the volume up to "normal" levels? Meaning how loud they normally sound with it's original receiver/subwoofer?

Yes that is correct.

You may be able to find some really good deals on speakers tomorrow during the Black Friday sales so maybe thats a good place to start.

 

[tonyvdb]

Emuc64, Your budget for speakers is going to give you issues with sound quality in the end that you wont be happy with. You would be better off using some old used speakers for the sorround channels and spand you entire budget on just some decent front speakers and a sub for starters. You can get away with phantoming the centre channel to your left and right speakers.
Dont simpy buy speakers for all 5 channels on a very limited budget as all that will get you is unsatifactory results and you will end up replacing them sooner rather than later.

 

[tonyvdb]

Even to add to this using my setup. I've been using the same speakers since 1992 and still love the sound from them. I payed big bucks (for me anyhow at age 22) for quality speakers and still have no plans to replace them. They would cost at least $2500 to replace just the 7 speakers today with something comparable.
My receiver, display, dvd player, and other components have all been upgraded several times. while still using the same speakers because they were good quality.

 

[tonyvdb]

great job with your choices! You wont be disapionted. Its nice to see someone who takes advice and runs with it :T